The Recruitment Show with Lewis Maleh

Feeling stuck in your career? You're not alone.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh shares practical advice for anyone who feels they've lost direction, missed out on opportunities, or simply isn't sure what comes next.

He explains why you don't need to have your entire career mapped out, how to set meaningful goals without adding pressure, and why success isn't always about climbing the corporate ladder.

Lewis also shares the framework he uses to review his own progress, the importance of building a personal board of directors, and how small, consistent actions can create long-term career growth.

Whether you're just starting out, changing direction, or reassessing what's important, this episode offers practical ideas to help you move forward with confidence.

In this episode:

• Why it's normal to feel stuck
• How to define success on your own terms
• A simple annual career review exercise
• Setting goals without feeling overwhelmed
• Why course-correcting is a strength
• Building your own personal board of directors
• Practical steps to regain momentum

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Most references are official. Backchannel references are different.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh explores the reality of informal references in executive hiring, why they happen, and why hiring managers should be careful not to let a single opinion outweigh the evidence.

He discusses:

• What backchannel references are
• Why they happen in executive search
• How much weight hiring managers should give them
• Why context matters before making a hiring decision
• What candidates should understand about professional reputation

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Most senior leadership roles are never advertised.

Instead, they're filled through executive search firms, referrals and private networks. If recruiters can't find you, you may never even know the opportunity existed.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh explains how executive search really works, from market mapping and longlists to shortlists and final interviews. He also shares practical advice on how to become more visible to executive recruiters, build meaningful relationships with search firms and position yourself for future leadership opportunities.

Whether you're actively looking for your next role or simply planning ahead, understanding how executive search works can completely change your approach to career progression.

In this episode:

• Why many executive roles are never advertised
• How executive search firms identify candidates
• Why networking matters more than applying online
• How LinkedIn helps recruiters find talent
• What recruiters look for during executive interviews
• Practical ways to become more visible in the hidden job market

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

You’ve got the job offer. Before you say yes, how do you know it’s actually the right move?

In this episode, Lewis Maleh shares three things to look at before accepting a new role: whether the expectations are genuinely clear, whether the offer reflects your value, and what the culture is really like behind the interview process.

Because getting an offer is exciting. But the job, the package and the people all need to make sense before you make the move.

A quick listen for anyone weighing up a new opportunity or thinking about their next career move.

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Remote work gives people flexibility, autonomy and access to opportunities beyond where they live. But it can also create a career challenge that is easy to overlook: visibility.

Doing great work is not always enough if the people making decisions about opportunities, promotions and progression rarely see you.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh explores the career risks of becoming out of sight and out of mind, why relationships and proximity still matter, and what remote workers can do to stay visible, build stronger networks and continue progressing in their careers.

If you work remotely or manage people who do, this episode offers a practical perspective on building a successful career in a more distributed world.

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Most of the best jobs are never advertised.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh shares how executive recruiters really identify great candidates, and why networking, your LinkedIn profile and your personal brand matter far more than endlessly applying for jobs online.

Whether you're just starting your career or already leading teams, Lewis explains the practical strategies that help professionals get discovered before opportunities ever reach the job boards.

You'll learn:

• Why the hidden job market matters
• How executive recruiters actually find candidates
• Why networking creates long-term career opportunities
• How to optimise your LinkedIn profile
• The role personal branding plays in getting noticed
• Practical habits that can accelerate your career

If you're serious about building a career rather than simply searching for your next job, this episode is for you

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Most people think finding a new job is about sending more applications.

It isn't.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh shares the strategies that consistently help candidates uncover opportunities that never make it to job boards.

He explains why networking matters more than ever, how executive recruiters actually find candidates, how to optimise your LinkedIn profile to be discovered, and why building your personal brand creates long-term career opportunities.

Whether you're starting your career, looking for your next leadership role, or planning your next move, these practical strategies will help you stand out in today's job market.

In this episode:
• Why the hidden job market matters
• How executive recruiters find candidates
• Networking strategies that open doors
• Optimising your LinkedIn profile
• Building a personal brand that attracts opportunities
• Practical advice for professionals at every career stage

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Thinking about changing careers but worried about starting again?

Many professionals reach a point where they want something different, but changing industries, taking a pay cut, or leaving behind years of experience can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh explores why career transitions are so difficult, what hiring managers are really thinking, and the practical steps you can take to move into a new field without throwing away everything you've built.

Lewis shares advice on networking, learning new skills, building credibility, and positioning yourself for opportunities in a competitive market.

Whether you're considering a complete career change, exploring a side hustle, or simply feeling stuck in your current role, this episode will help you think through your next move.

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

AI is changing the world of work faster than most people realise.

From Elon Musk's prediction that work could become optional to LinkedIn's latest data on the fastest-growing jobs, the conversation is no longer about whether AI will change employment. It is about who benefits, who adapts, and who gets left behind.

In this episode, Lewis explores:

• Whether AI is really a threat to jobs
• Why some professions are growing while others are shrinking
• The rise of AI Engineers and Heads of AI
• What workers can do to stay relevant
• The biggest mistake job seekers are making right now
• Why personal brand and visibility matter more than ever

If you're trying to understand where the job market is heading and how to position yourself for the future, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

AI is changing hiring, but not always in the way people think.

Candidates are using AI to write applications. Companies are using AI to screen them. As a result, more hiring decisions are being made before a recruiter or hiring manager ever sees the person behind the CV.

In this episode, Lewis explores why traditional job applications are becoming less effective, particularly for experienced professionals, and what candidates can do to improve their visibility in an increasingly AI-driven hiring market.

Topics discussed include:

• How AI is being used in recruitment
• Why job applications alone are no longer enough
• The importance of LinkedIn visibility
• Building relationships before you need a job
• Why trusted referrals still matter
• Practical ways to stand out in a crowded market

The future of hiring will involve AI, but the best opportunities will still come down to trust, reputation and human judgement.

🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

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Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com